Komen for the Cure reverses course on Planned Parenthood

View full sizeIn a Monday, Nov. 23, 2009 file photo, Nancy Brinker, founder and CEO of Susan G. Komen for the Cure, speaks at the National Press Club in Washington. (AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari, File)

Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the renowned breast cancer charity organization, this morning reversed course on its decision to cut grants to the reproductive health organization Planned Parenthood.

The organization apologized and said it would continue funding organizations like Planned Parenthood. The group got $680,000 last year; Planned Parenthood says Komen grants helped pay for more than 4 million breast exams over five years.

The decision to pull funding had prompted an outcry from Komen's affiliates, the public and U.S. senators; 26 signed a letter urging Komen to reconsider.

Many gave money to Planned Parenthood, including at least $400,000 in smaller donations from 6,000 people, The Associated Press reported. A $250,000 pledge was announced Thursday by New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg to match future donations.

As first reported by The Associated Press on Tuesday, Komen had adopted criteria excluding Planned Parenthood from grants because
it was under government investigation, notably a probe launched in
Congress at the urging of anti-abortion groups.

"We want to apologize to the American public for recent decisions that cast doubt upon our commitment to our mission of saving women's lives...

"We will continue to fund existing grants, including those of Planned
Parenthood, and preserve their eligibility to apply for future grants,
while maintaining the ability of our affiliates to make funding
decisions that meet the needs of their communities"